Laser Eye Surgery Complications and Side Effects

20% to 30%.  Estimated real complications rates of Lasik cited by critic of the Lasik industry.  “Matt Kotsovolos, former chief financial officer of Duke Eye Center in Durham, N.C., went even further, calling upon the FDA to impose a moratorium on Lasik procedures until more is known about the alleged psychological damage inflicted upon those who have experienced debilitating complications.  Mr. Kotsovolos argued that although the Lasik industry quotes complications rates of 1% to 3%, the real numbers are much closer to 20% to 30%.”  (David W. Mullin, Executive Editor of OSN international editions, “FDA panel scrutinizes LASIK safety data,” Ocular Surgery News, OSN, May 25, 2008) 

10% to 20% have problems. “Right around the year 2000 I saw some of the directions that Lasik was taking and it worried me.  There were too many complications.”  Eight or nine out of ten people were doing great.  But you never heard about that 10% or 20% that were having problems.  I did hear about them.  They were unhappy.”  (John Abdella, O.D FOAA, “Or-tho-ker-a-tol-o-gy,”  DVD education video, Orthokeratology Academy of America, 2008 at 1:37) 

10%.  “[S]ome 10 percent of [Lasik] patients may need an "enhancement" surgery up to six months later, say LASIK experts.” (Thea Singer, “10 minutes, perfect vision: what's new with LASIK, and is it for you?, O, The Oprah Magazine, June 1, 2006)

5%.  Percent of Lasik patients the FDA estimates not satisfied with their laser eye surgery outcome.  “Serious complications appear rare, affecting 1 percent or fewer cases, and the FDA estimates 5 percent of patients aren't satisfied with the outcome.  But aggressive marketing makes patients falsely believe clear sight is guaranteed, complained Dr. Jayne Weiss of Detroit's Kresge Eye Institute, who chaired the FDA advisory panel.  ‘Lasik is not a commodity. It's a surgical procedure, but it is being sold as a commodity,’ she told the meeting.” (“Tired of wearing glasses? Afraid of Lasik? There are options,” Capital - Annapolis, Associated Press, Annapolis, Maryland, May 11, 2008)

5%.  Percent of Lasik patients dissatisfied with their Lasik outcomes.  “Serious complications appear rare, affecting 1 percent or fewer cases, and the FDA estimates 5 percent of patients aren't satisfied with the outcome.”  (Lauran Neergaard, AP Columnist, “Alternatives to Lasik,” Associated Press, Friday, May 9, 2008)

3%.  Percent of Lasik patients experiencing burning, glare and halo adverse side effects.  “Side effects [from Lasik laser eye surgery] such as burning from dry eyes, glare, and halos at night occur in about 3 percent of post-ops, says [Glenn Hagele, founder of the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (usaeyes.org)].” (Thea Singer, “10 minutes, perfect vision: what's new with LASIK, and is it for you?, O, The Oprah Magazine, June 1, 2006)

0.5%.  Reported incidence of serious complications suffered by Lasik patients.  “In the ten years or so since LASIK hit Americans between (and in) the eyes, the lasers that reshape the cornea have become more nimble and spot-on, the diagnostic tools have gotten exactingly precise, and the incidence of serious complications, such as infection or ectasia (a bowing forward of the cornea that causes blurred and double vision), has dropped by half -- from 1 percent to .5 percent of patients, according to Glenn Hagele, founder of the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (usaeyes.org) a nonprofit patient advocacy organization in Sacramento. Today LASIK is one of the most common elective surgeries performed in the United States.” (Thea Singer, “10 minutes, perfect vision: what's new with LASIK, and is it for you?, O, The Oprah Magazine, June 1, 2006)

“Looking back, I don't know why anyone would risk their only two eyes.”  “Everything Gerry Schmidt sees is splattered with little black dots and swiggly lines. He sometimes has double vision. And at night, headlights look like blinding miniature suns.  Before undergoing Lasik corrective-vision surgery last year, Schmidt said, his biggest problem was trying to swim with his glasses on.  ‘Looking back, I don't know why anyone would risk their only two eyes.’” (Claudia Pinto, Staff Writer, “Lasik patient welcomes tougher look at surgery,” The Tennessean, May 22, 2008) 

“My eyes are damaged beyond repair.”  “‘My eyes are damaged beyond repair,' Pamela C. Barncastle, 62, of Albuquerque said in a phone interview. Mrs. Barncastle said she underwent [Lasik laser eye] surgery in 2001 and now has double vision and sees halos and bursts of blurred light at night that keep her from driving after sundown.” (Barnaby J. Feder, “As Economy Slows, So Do Laser Eye Surgeries, The New York Times, April 24, 2008)

Helpless Lasik victims have “no solutions and no voice.”  “Patients do not want to continue to exist as helpless victims with no solutions and no voice. … I urge the FDA advisory panel to recommend placing a moratorium on LASIK until a proper comprehensive study of long-term LASIK complications and symptoms, including clinical depression, is completed,” he said. (David W. Mullin, David W. Mullin, Executive Editor of OSN international editions, “FDA panel scrutinizes LASIK safety data,” Ocular Surgery News, OSN, May 25, 2008)

Near constant eye pain and depression.  "Since LASIK, I am visually handicapped," said patient David Shell, adding that he has near constant eye pain and depression. "My eyes never feel comfortable... 10 years have passed and I still suffer from this problem." (Susan Heavey, “Unhappy LASIK patients urge FDA to take action ,” Reuters, Fri Apr 25, 2008, 12:23 PM ET)

Dry eyes, nighttime glare, and blurry vision.  “Lasik Eye Surgery can provide a way for those with blurry vision to see clearly. However, the surgery can cause severe side-effects that can be life-changing.  …These include dry eyes, nighttime glare, and blurry vision.  While most people do come out of the surgery with better vision, the FDA hopes that more people will become fully aware of the risks before going into surgery.” (Marcy Novak, “Lasik Eye Surgery Problems,” KTAB, Thursday, May 8, 2008 @09:44pm CST)

Chronic pain or lasting poor vision.  “A quick surf of the Internet turns up unhappy patients complaining of chronic pain or lasting poor vision, although generally, the symptoms are minor and fleeting.” (Thea Singer, “10 minutes, perfect vision: what's new with LASIK, and is it for you?, O, The Oprah Magazine, June 1, 2006)

Severe life-changing side-effects.  “Lasik Eye Surgery can provide a way for those with blurry vision to see clearly. However, the surgery can cause severe side-effects that can be life-changing.” Lasik changed my life.  (Marcy Novak, “Lasik Eye Surgery Problems,” KTAB, Thursday, May 8, 2008)